Sens. Ossoff and Warnock previously urged approval of new GA-AIDE program to expand health care for Georgians
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff today announced a historic expansion of health care for Georgia families.
Following Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock’s push, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the “GA-AIDE” proposal to invest more than $300 million into the Grady Health and Augusta University Health Systems — enabling them to improve access to quality care for Georgia’s most vulnerable populations.
The new programs will focus on strengthening pediatric and maternal care, preventing and reducing the impact of chronic health conditions, improving access to screening and preventative health care, and addressing systemic health care inequities.
“Senator Warnock and I have made addressing health disparities, particularly for minority communities, a top priority and have challenged Georgia’s health care system to meet these challenges head on with innovative ideas,” Sen. Ossoff said. “GA-AIDE takes an important step in rising to that challenge.”
“I’m glad to see the Administration heeded our call to expand health care access for vulnerable Georgians,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “The federal government’s investment in the Grady Health and Augusta University Health Systems will dramatically improve child and maternal health, make it easier to treat substance abuse, and bolster health care facilities that have worked to weather the pandemic. I’m proud to have fought alongside Senator Ossoff for this important victory for Georgia families.”
“We are pleased Senators Ossoff and Warnock’s thoughtful leadership to drive innovation within the Medicaid program has paid off with the approval of GA-AIDE,” said John M. Haupert, President & CEO of Grady Health System. “GA-AIDE will allow Grady to enhance how we deliver care to the community we serve by allowing us to further invest in critical areas where Georgia lags far behind, such as access to behavioral health services, cancer screenings, and maternal and child health outcomes. These improvements will help ensure our patients continue receiving the high-level quality of care they deserve.”
“Part of our mission as the state’s academic medical center is to provide care for the entire population of Georgia. I am grateful for the support of Senators Ossoff and Warnock and thank them for their outreach to CMS and their support in getting this done,” said Dr. Brooks A. Keel, President of Augusta University and Interim CEO of Augusta University Health Center. “This program will allow us, as a safety net hospital, to harness innovation that transforms care and improves health equity. This ultimately will better equip us to carry out our mission while improving the quality of care for all Georgians.”
This is the latest in Sens. Ossoff and Warnock’s continued push to expand health care access and improve health outcomes for Georgians across the state, particularly within underserved communities.
In January, Sen. Ossoff pushed the Department of Health and Human Services to help low-income Americans get to their doctors’ appointments and expand transportation options for recipients.
Last year, Sens. Ossoff and Warnock secured $306 million to help support more than 1,500 hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices across rural Georgia.
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